Primary neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma of the parotid gland: A case report and review of the literature

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant epithelial tumor that predominantly arises in the lungs. Primary SCC of the parotid gland is rare and difficult to diagnose by analysis of frozen sections obtained during surgery. Due to the aggressive nature of SCC and the frequent occurrence of distant metastases, identification of the disease is important. The current study reports the case of a male patient who presented with a right parotid gland mass. The tumor was resected and evaluated by light microscopy and immunohistochemical analysis. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, cluster of differentiation 117, synaptophysin and thyroid transcription factor-1, which indicated that the tumor was a SCC of the parotid gland. An extended resection of the right parotid gland mass and dissection of the facial nerve were performed. Following discharge from the hospital, the patient received radiation therapy postoperatively. The patient has remained disease free during five months of follow-up.